Device for feeding and sensing record sheets



Oct. 8, 1935.

E. A. FORD DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND SENSING RECORD SHEETS Filed Nov. 9, 1933 v I j 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 A'i'roRNEY Oct 8, 1935. FORD 2,016,711

DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND SENSING RECORD SHEETS Filed NOV. 9, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 G ZZ as 9| 206 5 5 206 225 35 I53 I55 8 'n' 136 9 '79 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1935. E. A. FORD 2,016,711

DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND SENSING RECORD SHEETS 9999s! Q Al'TORNEY Oct. 8, 1935. E. A. FORD 2,016,711

DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND SENSING RECORD SHEETS I Filed Nov. 9, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 a I86 I BI B/mO- I37l58 INVENTOR- 20 y 4%! I B ATTORNEY- Oct. 8, 1935. E. A. FORD 2,016,711

DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND SENSING RECORD SHEETS Filed Nov. 9, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 PIC-3.11.

MAI

' ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1935. FORD 2,016,711

DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND SENSING RECORD SHEETS Filed Nov. 9, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR im/A ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT o1-"1-"1cr:

DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND SENSING RECORD SHEETS IugeneAnulFord,8carodale,N.Y.,a-ignorto lhohlnesccm International Business This invention relates to devices for feeding perforated record cards or paper sheets.

An object of the invention is to provide improved feeding means for handling thin cards or paper record sheets. A bunch or group of such sheets are placed in a magazine and the feeding means separates the sheets one by one and feeds them singly through a series of rollers between sensing stations.

Another object of the invention is to provide feeding devices for frictionally engaging the top sheet of a bunch of sheets and sliding said sheet off the bunch and into. feeding rollers. The paper feeding action of human fingers is performed in a mechanical way.

A feature of the invention is the operation of rubber tipped feeding fingers and cooperating devices for separating the end sheet from a. group of sheets and for feeding said sheet singly past perforation sensing brushes. The feeding action is independent of the thickness of the sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide devices for moving each sheet laterally, at right angles to the line of feeding, until it registers with an accurate reference edge before passing through the perforation sensing devices. An interchangeable cam is provided so that the lateral movement may be made in either direction. This lateral adjustment is made so that the columns of perforation index positions on each sheet are brought into accurate vertical alignment with the sensing brushes.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved magazine throat opening devices whereby paper sheets may be fed from a magazine in rapid succession.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a magazine with a shifting base plate having a beveled front edge for raising and lowering the sheets until they settle free from adjacent sheets and forced forward toward a position in vertical alignment with the throat'in condition to be fed singly from the magazine. Devices are provided to press the forward sheets down toward 4.1 the magazine throat in a proper position to start the feeding cycle. Cooperating with these devices is an interlock for closing the throat and disabling a card feed clutch control magnet when the sheets are not in position with respect to the throat, or when the devices are lifted out of operative position by the operator in order to place sheets into the magazine.

Feed regulating devices are'provided to govern the rate of feed of a sheet out of the magazine so that the forward edge of the sheet enters feed rollers at a definite instant during the cycle of operation.

A feature of the design is the mounting of the sensing brushes on a separate swinging frame which may be lowered out of the machine, thus 5 giving access to the sensing brush supports and wiring. Friction discs are associated with the frame to hold it in adjusted pomtion.

These objects and other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent as this specil0 fication continues with reference to the drawing which form part of the disclosure.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of the machine showing the driving gears for the sheet feeding it and sensing rollers.

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section showing the driving means and connections to the controlling devices governing the feedlng of the paper sheets. 20

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken along the line H in Fig. 6, showing the devices for shifting the paper sheets laterally.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation view taken along .the line l4 in Fig. 2 and showing the sets of 25 feeding and sensing rollers through which the record sheets are fed before being deposited in the stacker at the bottom of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a portion of a record sheet which is perforated to represent the 30 number I Fig. 6 is an elevation view showing the operating connections for the devices which move the sheets laterally across the magazine.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a shifting finger and a cam cooperating therewith for moving the record sheets laterally. In this view the parts are shown in normal position.

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the lateral shifting finger in operated position. 40 Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation view showing the operating connections for one of a pair of magazine throat closing members.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a throat closing member showing both the normal and the operated 45 positions of the member.

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation view of the mag-. azine showing the sheet feeding fingers in the position they assume early in the paper feeding operation. .50

Fig. 12 is a similar section through the magszine showing an advanced stage of the paper feeding operation with a sheet of paper drawn down by friction feeding fingers and placed into engagement with feeding rollers.

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation view through the magazine showing paper feed pressure arms and interlock members for closing the throat of the magazine and disabling the card feed clutch magnet when pressure arms are raised or lifted in the magazine.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the interior of the magazine with the record sheets removed and the sheet feeding plate broken away to show the friction feeding fingers. This view also shows the devices for shifting the sheets in a lateral way to bring them into register with a fixed side of the magazine in accurate alinement with the sensing brushes below the magazine.

Fig. 15 is a detail view of an alternative construction of the rubber tipped end of a feeding finger.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it is noted that a pair of side frames and 2| are supported on a base 22 mounted on legs 23 comprising the support for the machine. Cross bars 24 act as braces between the legs 23.

Suspended from the bottom of the side frames 20 and 2| (Figs. 1 and 4) are a pair of brackets 25 which protrude down through an aperture 26 in the base 22 and act as a bearing for the sheet stacker.

The feeding and sensing devices of the machine are driven by a motor which is connected to a pulley wheel 21 (Figs. 2 and 4) by means of a belt 28. The wheel 21 is loosely mounted on the end of a shaft 29 (Fig. 2) and has secured to its side a ratchet wheel 30 (Fig. 4).

Adjacent the ratchet wheel 33, Fig. 2, there are a pair of levers 3| and 3|a on shaft 29. The lever 3| is secured to shaft 29 and carries a pawl 32 which is adapted to cooperate with the ratchet 30 and form a driving connection between wheel 21 and shaft 29. The other lever 3|a. is loose on shaft 29 and carries a pin 3||l which engages a short arm on pawl 32. The ends of lever 3|a. are advanced a slight amount beyond lever 3| in a clockwise direction, so that the hooked end of a latch lever may engage lever 3|a and, through pin 3|0, rock pawl 32 about pivot 34 on lever 3| and disengage the clutch before lever 3| is stopped. Latch lever 35 is pivoted on a stub shaft 35 extending from a bearing 3| on base 22. A spring 33 tends normally to engage the pawl 32 with ratchet 30, but the pawl is held disengaged between pin 3|0 and an arm 3|2 pivoted at 3|3 on lever 35. The end of lever 35 carries an armature block 31 located underneath an operating magnet CFCM. This card feed clutch magnet CFCM is energized whenever a record sheet feeding and sensing operation is desired. Energization of the magnet attracts the end of lever 35, rocking it in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4) against the tension of spring 3, releasing levers 3| and 3|a and allowing the pawl 32 to engage the continuously rotating ratchet wheel 30, thus rotating shaft 29. The magnet is maintained energized and the shaft 29 continues to rotate as long as sheets are presented for feeding. When the magnet is deenergized, latch 35 rocks in a clockwise direction to engage lever 3|a and hold pawl 32 out of engagement, stopping shaft 29.

Referring to Fig. 2, it is noted that the shaft 29 extends across the machine through both side frames and at one end carries a driving gear 33 (Fig. l). A series of driving connections are established between shaft 29 and the three sheet feeding drive shafts 39, and 4| by a train of gearing comprising gears 42, 43, 44, 45, and 45.

Each sheet feeding driving shaft is connected by gearing to an oppositely located shaft to form connections whereby pairs of rollers are rotated to draw the record material down between them. For example, a gear 41 is attached to gear 45 and cooperates with a gear 48 mounted on shaft 49. In the same manner, gear 43 carries a smaller gear 50 which meshes with a gear 5| carried on shaft 52. In a like manner, gear 46 has attached thereto a gear 53 cooperating with a gear 54 on shaft 55.

The machine has two record sensing stations at which there are contact and feed rollers mounted on shafts 56 and 51. These shafts are driven by gearing attached to the train of gearing mentioned hereinbefore. A gear 59 on shaft 56 meshes with a gear 59 attached to gear 44. At the other sensing station, a gear 60 is attached to shaft 51 and meshes with a gear 6| mounted alongside of gear 42.

The machine is provided with a cam shaft 62 upon which there are mounted a number of cams for operating the various feeding devices in the magazine. This shaft carries a gear 53 which meshes with the gear 59 connected to gear 44.

The sheet stacker at the bottom of the base is driven by a train of gearing leading from gear 64 mashing with gear 42. A large gear 65 rotating on a stud $6 projecting from the side of one of the brackets 25, meshes with the gear 64 and carries a pinion 51 which in turn cooperates with a gear 59 attached to the operating shaft 69 of the stacker.

The record sheets 90 which the machine handles may be in the form of well known Hollerith tabulating cards, such as the portion of a record shown in Fig. 5. These records may consist of thin cards or paper strips cut to an exact size and provided with vertical columns and horizontal rows of index points which may be perforated to represent various data such as names, numbers, amounts, or dates. The records may be perforated as shown in Fig. 5 with a single hole in each column representing a denomination or figure of data or the perforations could be arranged in combinations whereby two or more perforations in a column represent an item of information.

In the ordinary form of tabulating machines, the record cards are of a substantial thickness and feeding is performed by engaging the edge of the and card with a reciprocating extension, known as a picker, thus separating one card from the others and forcing it away from the bunch and into feeding rollers. In the present invention it is contemplated that either a thin paper or card material may be used for the record sheets and that the sheet is to be separated from the rest of the group by engaging it with friction fingers to slide it away from adjacent sheets. This is an imitation of the action of the human fingers in pressing upon the top sheet of a stack and sliding the sheet away from the lower sheets. It is a type of feed which operates regardless of the thickness of the sheets.

The path followed by a sheet after it is drawn oil the bunch may be noted in Fig. 4. There it is seen that as a sheet is pushed down out of the magazine, it is drawn into a pair of feed rollers Ill and 1| mounted on shafts 39 and 49, respectively. Then the sheet passes between a line of upper brushes l2 and the cooperating contact roller 13 mounted on a tube forming part of shaft 56 The sheet passes between other feed rollers I4, 15 before entering the lower sensing station comprising brushes I6 and contact roller llonshaftll. Abottcmpairoffeedrollers II, I. serves to usher the sheet into engagement with the stacker which then deposits the sheet on top of the plate ill.

The operation of the mechanism in the megaslne and the feeding of the sheets from the magaaine into the first feed rollers will be described before a detailed description is given of the various sensing. feeding. and stacking stations.

Referring to Fig. 4, it is noted that the magazine is supported on a base plate II which is held in place on the side frames II and 2| by screws It which go through blocks 84 and II on the plate and thread into lugs on the side frames. Riveted totheblocks and flareapairofsidepiates l2 and 88 forming the side walls of the magazine.

At the front of the magazine there is placed a vertical sliding feed plate ti which serves both as an end stop and a feeding actuator for the record sheets. The plate ti, Fig. 3, extends across the machine, between the side frames 2| and 2|, and slides in elongated notches 92 cut into the inner surface of the frames. A strip 93, Fig. 14, is riveted on the inner face of plate II. It is against this strip that the bunch of record sheets ll Fig. 4 are pressed lightly by a retainer N.

A web it acts as a brace between a front piece 08 and a bottom section 21 of the retainer 4. The

' retainer is loose in the magazine and slides down the incline formed by plate II, thus pressing against the rear of the bunch of sheets to hold them in a compact group with the front sheet against strip 93.

A bar It, Fig. 2, extending across the machine between the side frames, carries a bracket II. This bracket extends from the center of the bar and contacts with the back of the plate II directly behind the strip OI, thus acting to prevent buckling of the plate at the throat of the magazine.

At the center of the magazine and adjacent the strip 08. Fig. 14, is a throat block 88 which is adjustably held on the base plate II by a grooved guide member 81 riveted to plate II. The block is set so that a narrow opening appears between it and the strip 93. This opening permits the descent of a single sheet on the bunch. A rod 90, Fig. 4, is threaded in the block and supported in twobearings I and Ill extending from the bottom of the base plate II. A spring III2 on the rod tendsto bring the block it against the strip 93. but is held from doing this by an adjustable screw head I which is fastened on the end of 'the rod 99 and drawn against the side of bearing III by spring I02. The size of the opening between block as and strip 92 may be varied by turning head In.

Resting on top of the base plate OI, Fig. 4, is a shifting plate I extending across the magazine underneath the sheets 90 and retainer 94. This plate I N has a beveled front end which lowers and raises the sheets 9|! to iostle them into position and force them forward toward the throat of the The shaft 02 carries a cam I which serves to slide the plate I back and forth at the beginning and end of the sheet feeding cycle. A bellcrank I pivoted on a shaft Il'l is turned by a spring its so that a follower III! on the lower crank arm is held in constant touch with the periphery of cam IN. The end of the upper arm of the crank is rounded and fits into a notch in a bearing block I It attached to the lower surface ofplate Ill. Thebaseplatell iscutawayto allow block III to extend down therethrwgh and move freely along the bottom of the magazine. Early in each operation, the crank III is rocked in a coimterclockwise direction to draw the shiftingplateillbacktowardtherearofthemaga- 5 zine. Late in the cycle the plate is shoved under the sheets back to normal position. As this takes place. the sheets near the magazine throat are lowered and raised to effect the settling of the sheets toward the throat. l0

As a further aid in keeping the sheets down near the throatin readiness for feeding, a pair of pressure arms I, Figs. 4, l3 and 14. extend from ashaft II2 andrestlightly onthe topof anumber of sheets at the front of the magazine. The ends of thearms are rounded so that as the forward sheets are fed, the other sheets pass under the arms without the tops of the sheets being creased or torn. The passage of the sheets in an erect position under the arms III is aided by the jostling action of plate Ill. The arms exert pressure by virtue of the force of gravity which tends to swing the arms down in a counterclockwise direction. The arms may be swung in a clockwise direction by the operator when placing sheets in the magazine.

An interlock is provided to prevent feeding of the sheets when the arms III are lifted by improperly positioned sheets, or lifted by the machine operator to refill the magazine. One end of shaft II2 extends through side frame 2i and carries a stop arm III, Fig. 14, which normally abuts against the top of a rectangular bar i I4, Fig. 13, riveted on the outside of the frame 2 I. A vertical rod III slides in the bar III and is guided at the lower end by a block Ill secured to the frame II. The lower end of rod I I5 is in contact with the end of a lever II'I pivoted on a screw II. in the frame. An arm Ill secured to a shaft I2. cooperates with the other end of lever Ill. 40 Attached to this same shaft I22 is a pair of arms I2I situated between the side frames and extending upwardly in the interior of the machine. The upper ends of the arms I2I protrude into slots cut in slide members I 22 supported by washers I25 and screws I26 on brackets I23 secured to the bottom of base plate I. The ends of the slides I22 are normally withdrawn from the throat of the magazine. Springs I24 attached to arms I2I urge the slides to a throat closing position and press arm II! on lever Ill and tend to raise rod Iii. However, the weight of arms III overcomes the tension of springs I24 and keeps the parts normally in the position shown in Fig. 13. when, for any reason, the arms III and III are lifted, the rod III is allowed to rise and springs I24 are effective to shove slides I22 into a position, blocking the magazine throat and preventing the feeding of record sheets while arms III are raised.

The interlock controls are also eilective to deenergize the card feed clutch magnet CFCM and disable the card feed drive gearing. An insulation bar II on rod II! cooperates with one of a pair of contacts 2! which are wired in series with 05 magnet CF'CM. When the rod III is allowed to rise, contacts II are opened.

From the sections of the description given hereinbefore. it is noted that the record sheets iii are supported and acted upon on all sides in the magazine. The sheets rest on the shifting plate I and are guided 0n the sides by side pieces 82 and 88. The retainer I4 presses from therearandthearms III pressonthetopofthe sheetstoforcethemtowardsthethroatofthe'll magazine. The front sheet presses against the strip 93 on the feeding plate 9| in readiness for the descent through the throat when the plate is lowered.

The devices for lowering and lifting the feeding plate 9| may be noted from the showing in Figs. 2, ll, 12 and 14. A pair of levers I21 are loosely pivoted on a shaft I28 and are drawn down by springs I29 so that follower blocks I30 on the levers cooperate with cams I3I fixed on shaft 62. The ends of the levers I21 are curved upward through openings I32, Fig. 14, in plate 8| and are pivoted at I33 on short slide sections I34 fitted in blocks I35 assembled on feed plate 9|. The plate is slotted to receive the two blocks I35 which are keyed thereon and held in position when sections I34 are slid into the grooves in the blocks, a slide section and the lever end carried thereon closing a slot opening in plate 9|.

From the shape of cam I3| in Fig. 11, it may be noted that the levers I21 and plate 9| are lowered during the first quarter of the feeding cycle, and raised to normal position in the second half of the cycle.

The feeding plate 9| carries four feeding fingers I36, Fig. 14, which are adapted to frictionally engage a record sheet and push it down through the throat of the magazine when plate 9| is lowered. The fingers are divided into two groups so that there is a pair of fingers on each side of the magazine. A set of four brackets I31 are riveted to the back of the plate 9|. Each bracket is formed in the shape of a U with side flanges that are perforated to carry a short rod I38. The rod acts as a bearing for the finger I36 which is formed with two side flanges that encircle the rod. A description of one finger, applies as well to the others since they are similar in construction.

The lower end of each finger I36 carries a cup I39 from which protrudes a rubber tip or disk I40. This tip is designed to establish a frictional contact with a record sheet during feeding. The end of the tip may be fiat, rounded or cupped for a suctional effect. or the tip may be formed as shown in Fig. 15 where it is seen that the end of finger I36 is formed with teeth I designed to hold a rubber sleeve I42. The teeth face upward so that the sleeve I42 may be easily assembled, but firmly held on the finger. A slot I43 in the finger I36 is provided so that a worn sleeve I42 may be cut in half and removed.

A leaf spring I5I, Figs. 11 and 14, fastened to finger I36, presses against the back of plate 9| and urges the rubber tipped end of the finger into contact with the forward sheet 90 in the magazine. The stud I52 holding the spring on the finger, extends far enough to abut the plate 9| and prevents an excessive rocking movement of the finger when the magazine is empty.

The rocking movement of the fingers I38 to and from feeding position is controlled by a pair of rectangular cam plates I53, Figs. 11, 12 and 14, each of which cooperates with the offset lugs I54 on two of the fingers. As the fingers I36 reciprocate down and up with the plate 9|, cam plates I53 are moved to push on the lugs I54 and rock the fingers out of engagement with the record sheet at the end of the down stroke and during the upward return stroke, see Fig. 12. The plates I53 are riveted to milled sections of a shaft I55 extending between the side frames. Outside the left side frame 2|, Fig. 2, the shaft I56 carries an arm I56 with a follower I51 cooperating with a cam I68 on shaft 62. A spring I59 attached to arm I56 tends to keep the follow er on the periphery of the cam. At the end of the cycle, the cam I58 presents a sharp decline to the follower I51, permitting arm I56, shaft I55 and cam plates I53 to rock in a clockwise direction, Fig. 11, releasing fingers I36 and allowing the rubber tips I40 to again press against the forward sheet 90.

As the fingers I36 draw a record sheet 90 out of the magazine, the rubber tips I40 move below the throat of the magazine where the sheet is no longer backed up by the other sheets in the magazine. At this point, a backing plate I60 is moved up alongside the sheet to back it up and maintain the pressure of the tips I40 on the sheet. The plate I60 is provided with trunnions I6| which pivot loosely in the side frames. An arm I62 is attached to the plate and carries a follower I63 which rests on a cam I64 on shaft 62. A spring I65 attached to the arm I62 keeps the follower in contact with the edge of cam I64. At the beginning of the feeding cycle, the plate I60 is slightly removed from the path of the record sheet, but the cam I64 is shaped so that as soon as the sheet is moved, the plate I60 is rocked to back up the sheet below the throat of the magazine.

The magazine throat opening and closing de vices shown in Figs. 9 and 10 control the rate of descent of the record sheet 90 through the throat, the time in the cycle that the sheet leaves the throat, and the time that the sheet enters the top set of feeding rollers. There is provided a pair of such devices, similar in construction, one on each side of the magazine. The timing and position of the record sheet at each point in the cycle are important, because the perforations in the record control other devices in the machine by virtue of the time at which they are sensed.

Bearing blocks I68, riveted to the bottom of base plate 8|, carry rods I69 on which are pivoted the throat opening members I10. When in normal position, the end of each member extends across the throat opening and directly under the bottom edge of the record sheet 90. The member is supported in such a position by an actuating strip |1I which rides on top of the shaft 39. The one end of strip |1I cooperates with a cam formation on the lower side of member I10, and the other end is secured to an arm I12 pivoted at I13 on a cam follower lever I14 fulcrumed on shaft I20. A leaf spring I15 extending from shaft I01 bears against lever I14 and forces follower I16 thereon into constant contact with a cam I11 on shaft 62.

Early in the sheet feeding cycle, the cam I11 rocks the lever I14 counterclockwise and draws strip I1| to the left, Fig. 9. Then as the strip withdraws beneath member I10, the member is lowered by its own weight until it assumes the position illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 10. The contour of cam I11 and the formation of the lower surface of member I10 are designed to govern the time and the rate of descent of the record sheet which follows behind the member as it is lowered. Near the end of the feeding cycle, after the sheet has passed cam I11 allows strip I 1| to move rapidly to the right, lifting member I10 under the sheet which is about to be fed.

It is of importance that each sheet be positioned accurately in the magazine by being brought to register at one side or the other before feeding. This is done because the columns of record perforations in the sheet must line up with the related sensing brushes.

The means for-accomplishing this alignment is brought about byalateralshiftingmeansshowninl'igs.3,l. 7,8 and 14. .A pair of shifting fingers I'll, Fig. 14, are drawn into contact with the record sheet endthenshiftedtotherighttobrlngthesheet to register against the side of the magazine. Cups Ill hold rubber tips Ill on the inner ends of fingers Ill.

The fingers Ill are mounted on a frame composed of two side links Ill and a cross link Ill, Fig. 3. Screws "I, Fig. 6, hold the fingers on the inside of the links. The ends of the links I'll u'epivotedat Il2 onapairofarms Ill which are fastened to shaft Ill. At the other end of the links Ill, studs Ill form a loose connection between bearings on fingers Ill and the ends of link Ill.

The frame issupported and guided on a pair of studs Ill, Fig. 3, which protrude inside the side frames and lit in slots Ill, Fig. 6, in links Ill. The studs IlI are fixed in removable strips Ill which are secured to the side frames 20 and 2i by screws Ill. On the right hand stud Il'I there is wound a spring IlI which presses against the side of link Ill and tends to shift the entire frame to the left. This movement is possible because of the loose connections at Ill, Fig. 6. and Ill. The studs Ill are made removable so that the spring "I may be assembled on either stud interchangeably to exert pressure on either side of the frame for a lateral shift in either direction.

The lateral shifting frame is normally positioned with the rubber tips Ill spaced from the first record sheet in the magazine, but in the second half of each feeding cycle, a cam I 92 on shaft l2 acts to draw the frame forward to bring the fingers into contact with the sheet. An arm Ill secured to shaft III'I carries a follower Ill in contact with cam Ill. A spring Ill attached to arm Ill urges the frame into normal position and keeps arm in cooperation with cam Il2.

The shifting movement of the fingers III is controlled by a cam plate Ill, Figs. 7, 8 and 14. secured by screws Ill to studs ill on the vertical reciprocating feed plate lI. A cam shoulder Ill on cam plate Ill cooperates with the inner side of the right hand finger I'll, Fig. 3, as the feed plate lI slides down and up. Spring IlI keeps the finger in contact with the cam plate.

In the normal position of the feed plate 9i, the relation between the finger Ill and cam plate Illisasshowninl'ig.7whereitisseenthat the finger is over to the right on the shoulder of the cam. Then, as the feed plate is lowered, the finger I I8 (and the other finger connected thereto by link Ill) is allowed to move vi:otheleftasinl"ig.8. Thismovementtothe left is not effective to shift the record sheet, because up to this point in the cycle the cam "2 has not yet drawn the fingers into contact with the sheet. Howeve before the feed plate ll is raised to normal position, the fingers are drawn into contact with the next sheet to be fed from the magazine. Then, as the feed plate and cam plate Ill are lifted, the fingers I'll are moved to the right, shifting the sheet against the side of the magazine. g

The feed plate l I Figs. 3 and 14. carries another pair of studs Il'la on which the same cam plate Ill may be secured. The cam plate is formed so that it reversible and may be assembled on it is assembled on the left side, the spring IlI is transferred to the left side and the lateral shifting alignment movement of the record sheet is made towards the left instead of the right.

The record sheet is shifted into position at l the end of one cycle, and then fed down out of the magazine early in the next cycle. The sheet encounters various feeding rolls, sensing and stacking devices on its downward movement.

The top feeding rollers III, 'II, Figs. 2 and 4, 10 are held together by spring pressure so that ifthe sheets Jam, the rollers may be separated. The cross bar ll carries a pair of brackets 2l5 from which protrude plungers 206 having ends shaped to fit around a section of shaft ll. Thus, the 1s rollers II on shaft ll are pressed against rollers ll.

As a record sheet passes down between rollers III, II, it is guided between the backing plate I60 and a guide plate 201, Figs. 11 and 12. The guide plate 201 is the cross bar of. a bail having arms 2", Fig. 12, loosely pivoted at 209 on the side frames. The bail is normally held with plate 201 in a guiding position by a stud 2Il engaging in a notch in an arm 208. The stud is movg5 able, being mounted on a swinging sensing brush holder to be described hereinafter. When the stud 2Il moves to the right, plate 201 swings about center 2 and away from plate Ill so that access may be had to the space under rollers it and II for the removal of sheets. When the stud 2Il moves to the left it contacts the lower side of arm 2" and raises guide plates 20'! to normal position.

The several upper sensing brushes I2, Fig. 4, are separated by circular grooves in an insulation feeding bushing 2II mounted on a shaft 2 l2. In alike manner the lower brushes ii are supported and insulated by a bushing 2Il on a shaft 2!. The shafts M2, 2, and insulation blocks 2I5, 2I6 holding the brushes, are mounted in a swinging frame comprising side arms 2I'I pivoted on screws 2Il below the base 26. The side arms 2Il are spaced and braced by rods H9 and 220 and carry a cover 22l. The frame is held in normal position by shouldered screws 22l threaded in the main side frames and adapted to project into apertures in arms 2". When the frame is in the normal position, a gear 222, Fig. l, on shaft H2 and a gear 22l on shaft 2" are adapted to mesh with driving gears 5| and 60, respectively. Thus, the bushings 2H and 2I3, Fig. 4, not only serve as insulating means, but also as rotating feed rollers. The side arms 2II are notched at 224 to clear shaft 52. The stud 2Ill, previously mentioned, is shown in Fig. 4 in the position wherein it is fixed on side arm 2".

When the operator of the machine swings the sensing brush frame back out of the machine, it is desirable to have the frame remain in an extended position. For this purpose, friction devices are provided to cooperate with the side arms of the frame to hold it in any adjusted position. There is a friction device on each side of the frame. Since they are similar in construction, a a description of one applies as well to the other.

Secured to the brace bar 24, Fig. 2, is astandard 22! carrying a fixed disc 226. The screw 2" which acts as a pivot for side arm 2i 1 is threaded into the end of the standard and guides the side I.

arm to swing adjacent the fixed disc. On each side of the fixed disc 22' there is placed a friction disc 22!. Outside the friction discs are a pair of pressure plates 228 which are held together by a series of screws 22l, Fig. 1. that may be tightened to press the friction discs between the fixed disc and the pressure plates. The pressure plates are formed with open ends 230 which engage an extending portion of the brace rod 220. In this way, any positive movement of the swinging frame and side arms 2|! carries the pressure plates 228 along therewith. When once adjusted into a desired position, the frame is kept there by the friction devices.

Opposite the sensing brushes are contact rollers or cylinders 13 and TI already mentioned. In contact with the cylinders are thin metal strips 23d and 232 held between the side frames, but insulated therefrom. These strips serve a dual purpose. They act as conducting brushes to carry current to the cylinders. They also act as scrapers to remove lint from the cylinders when soft paper is used for the record sheets.

The record sheets are guided between the sensing stations by guide plates 233 and 234 secured to the frames.

As the record sheets descend through the rollers 18 and 19 they are grasped by a rotating stacker and stacked on plate 80. The rotating frame 235, Fig. 4, of the stacker is secured to shaft 69 and carries four grippers 236 pivoted on studs 231. Springs 238 tend to rotate the grippers so that the free ends thereof contact against transverse segments 239 on the rotating frame. A fixed cam plate 240 inside the frame is in the path of a rounded end on each gripper and serves to open each gripper momentarily as it passes a position wherein a descending record sheet is inserted between the gripper and the segment 239. When a gripper passes cam plate 240 it rocks to normal position and pinches the record sheet between the gripper end and the segment. The sheet is carried around in a clockwise direction until the gripper strikes another cam surface 2 which opens the gripper and frees the sheet so that it is stopped in a horizontal position by the stripper 242.

When it is desired to remove the stacked sheets 90, the operator may push the plate 30 down against the tension of a spring 243. The return movement of the plate In is cushioned by a dash pot 244.

Although the illustrated embodiment of the invention is a desirable one, it is to be understood that various changes, additions or omissions may be made in the construction or mode of operation without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sheet feeding device, a magazine for holding the sheets, a throat in said magazine through which the sheets may pass one at a time, a reciprocating plate at the throat, a set of feeding fingers pivotally mounted on said plate, rubber tips projecting from said fingers, springs for rocking said fingers and pressing said tips against the sheet at the throat, means for moving said plate and said fingers to feed the sheet, said moving means also being adapted to restore said plate back to normal position, and a cam plate adapted to cooperate with lugs on said fingers to rock the fingers and draw the tips away from the sheet during the restoring movement of the reciprocating plate.

2. A sheet feeding finger having an end formed with teeth on the sides and a slot in the center, and a rubber sleeve which is slipped over, and held by, said teeth, said slot adapting said sleeve to be cut in half and removed.

3. In a device for feeding a sheet of! a stack of sheets, friction fingers for frictionally engaging the end sheet of the stack, means for moving the fingers to push said sheet off the stack, a backing plate, and means for moving said plate adjacent the edge of said stack for holding said sheet against said fingers.

4. In a sheet feeding device, a magazine for holding a bunch of sheets in a vertical position, a magazine throat through which the sheets may pass down one at a time, a shifting plate at the bottom of the magazine and substantially perpendicular to said sheets, said plate being shaped with a beveled edge facing said throat, means for reciprocating said plate and pushing said beveled edge under the ends of said sheets to arrange and hold the sheets toward the throat, and means for feeding the sheet at the throat out of the magazine.

5. In a sheet feeding device, a magazine for holding a plurality of sheets, a throat in said 20 magazine through which the sheets may pass one at a time, pressure arms resting on the edge of said sheets opposite the throat, slides adjacent said throat, connections between said arms and said slides for moving said slides to a throat closing position when said arms are lifted, and means for feeding said sheets out of the magazine when the throat is open.

6. In a sheet feeding device, a magazine for holding a plurality of sheets, a throat in said magazine through which the sheets may pass one at a time, pressure arms resting on the edge of said sheets opposite the throat, slides adjacent said throat, connections between said arms and said slides for moving said slides to a throat closing position when said arms are lifted, and means for feeding said sheets out of the magazine when the throat is open, a magnet for controlling the operation of said feeding means, contacts in series with said magnet, and means associated with said connections for opening said contacts when said arms are lifted.

7. In a sheet feeding device, a magazine for holding sheets, a throat in said magazine through which the sheets may pass one at a time, means for feeding the sheets out of the magazine, mem bers normally closing said throat and obstructing a sheet at the throat, and means for gradually moving said members away from said throat and along the path of the sheet during feeding in 56' and means for rocking said members away from 00 said throat and along the path followed by the sheet during feeding in order to determine the time that the sheet cooperates with the sensing brushes.

9. In record sheet feeding and sensing devices, 5

a magazine for holding record sheets, record sensing brushes, shifting fingers, means for bringing said fingers into contact with the first sheet in the magazine, means for moving said fingers transversely to bring the sheet against the side of the magazine in alignment with the sensing brushes, and means for feeding the sheets one by one out of the magazine and under the sensing brushes.

10. In feeding and sensing devices for record 18 sheets containing columns of perforation index positions, sensing brushes for sensing said perforations, a magazine for holding the sheets, shifting fingers, a frame carrying said fingers, means for movng said frame to bring the fingers into contact with the first sheet in the magazine, a cam for moving said frame in another direction to shift the fingers and the sheet so that the columns of index positions thereon coincide with the sensing brushes, and means for feeding said sheet after said moving means operates said frame to move the fingers away from the sheet.

11. In feeding and sensing devices for record sheets containing columns of data perforations. brushes for sensing said perforations, a. magazine for holding said sheets, a throat in said magazine through which the sheets may pass one at a time, a reciprocating plate at said throat, feeda ing fingers mounted on said plate, means for moving said fingers into engagement with said sheets for feeding a sheet during one stroke of said plate, shifting fingers, a frame carrying said shifting fingers, means for moving said frame to bring the fingers into contact with the first sheet in the magazine, and a cam on said reciprocating plate for moving said frame and fingers laterally on the return stroke of said plate to align the columns of perforations on the first sheet with the sensing brushes.

12. In feeding and sensing devices for record sheets, a magazine for holding said sheets, record sensing brushes, shifting fingers, a frame carrying said fingers, means for moving said frame to draw said fingers in and out of contact with the first sheet in the magazine, a reversible cam for moving said frame in either direction laterally to shift the fingers and the sheet to either side in the magazine in alignment with the sensing brushes, and means for feeding the sheet out of the magazine and under the sensing brushes.

13. In record sheet feeding and sensing devices, a magazine for holding record sheets, a throat in said magazine through which the sheets may pass one at a time, means for feeding the sheets, sensing brushes for sensing the record sheets after they pass out of the magazine, a removable holder for carrying said brushes, a bail comprising a cross bar which acts as a sheet guiding means under the throat, means for rocking said bail and lowering the cross bar when the sensing brush holder is drawn out of the device, and means on said holder for restoring said bail when the holder is moved back into the device.

14. In a record sheet feeding and sensing device, a series of record feeding rollers, sets of 10 record sensing brushes, means for feeding the sheets through the rollers and under the brushes,

a pivoted holder for carrying said brushes, means for securing said holder in the device, and means for swinging said holder out of the device to gain access to the brushes and rollers.

15. In a record sheet feeding and sensing device, record sensing brushes, means for feeding record sheets under said brushes, a movable holder for carrying said brushes, means for moving said holder out of the device, and friction means for retaining said holder in adjusted position.

16. In a paper feeding device, means for holding the paper before it is fed, a movable feeding plate near said paper, feeding fingers movably mounted on said plate and tipped with friction material, means for moving said finger into engagement with the paper to feed it when said plate makes one movement, a cam plate cooperating with said fingers to move them out of 00- operation with said paper when said feeding plate makes another movement, and means for operating said cam plate in synchronism with the movements of said feeding plate.

17. In a device for feeding a sheet off a stack of sheets, fingers for engaging the end sheet of the stack, means for moving the fingers to push said end sheet off the stack, a backing plate normally away from the end of the stack, and

means for moving said plate in synchronism with said fingers so that it isplaeed near the end of the stack to hold the sheet against the fingers when the fingers go beyond the edge of-the stack in pushing the and sheet.

EUGENE A. FORD. 

